AN INSIGHT INTO A TRAINEE'S LIFE AT B P COLLINS LLP

From maple to maypole

Now well into the third seat of my training contract, I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the route that led me to B P Collins and hopefully offer some words of advice to the aspiring solicitors out there hunting the ever-elusive training contract.

As a Canadian ex-pat my winding path to a training contract was anything but ordinary. It took very little time to settle into studying in the UK and in my second year of study I began mass applying to every training contract imaginable. Though regularly reaching first round interviews it rarely progressed past that and I, like many law students before me, became familiar with reading “the standard of applicants this year has been very high, unfortunately” followed by a kindly worded but always painful rejection.

“B P Collins differentiated themselves as a lifecycle law firm, catering to the personal and business needs of their clients by tailoring solutions”.

Upon graduating, I quickly took up post at a leading regional law firm in Cardiff working in residential conveyancing. My goal was to build up a strong foundation of legal work experience while completing my LPC part-time. Although all graduates are different, I found the mix of hands-on work experience and part-time LPC study significantly increased my ability to garner attention when applying for training contracts. It was then that I was fortunate enough to find B P Collins Solicitors.

“I sought a training contract that could help me develop a holistic approach to the lawyer-client relationship… and I have not been disappointed.”

B P Collins differentiated themselves as a lifecycle law firm, catering to the personal and business needs of their clients by tailoring solutions that address current needs and those going forward. I sought a training contract that could help me develop this holistic approach to the lawyer-client relationship and throughout the first three seats of my training contract I have not been disappointed. I have been given consistent opportunities to learn how best to serve the client’s needs while working closely with partners, associates, lawyers and support staff. All of us working together to deliver the best possible solutions for the client.

Throughout the long and arduous route from student to trainee there were many rejections, long hours, and doubt as to whether I would achieve my goals. If you are in that position now I wholeheartedly sympathise and my only advice is to stay resilient, look for firms that suit your personality and continually build the work experience and skill set needed to nail your assessment days. Good luck!

Alex joined the family team at B P Collins as a paralegal in March 2017
and started his training contract in July 2017. His role is to provide assistance to
partners and other lawyers in the practice group.